Promo Excerpt : Single Chicas by Sandra Lopez

Women's Fiction / Humor
Date Published:8/19/16

Perfection is a Barbie doll, and, unless you're looking for a guy with a fake smile, a hard head, and no genitalia, then you're better off NOT being perfect―Single Chicas

Single Chicas is a collection of stories about modern Latinas being in, out, and around the zany hurdles of relationships. One woman receives strange calls from a lonely soul, another seeks advice on how to love herself, and another wakes up in a parallel universe to a man she's never met. These chicas will make painstaking effort to survive the complexities with humor and grace. Once again, López dazzles audiences with her brilliantly candid craft. Smart, witty, and funny, these stories will explore the true endurance of singlehood.



Excerpt

#1: My Brother's Funeral

I'll never forget the day my brother gave me a stroke. Of course, being that he was my little brother, a stroke should've been classified a recurring condition by then. Instead, the most he had ever given me was a chronic eye twitch, which, now that I think about it, may have been an indicator of an on-coming stroke. But, yes, it was definitely a stroke I had when Benito (I always called him Benny) came over that day to tell me he was getting married.

My brain blew a short and my whole body went numb. I think, at one point, the world before me was engulfed in a white flash, and then somehow I ended up on the floor. When I finally got the feeling back in my jaw, the only thing I could muster to say was: "Are you a moron?" The clear answer was "yes." He was a moron. Getting married? Was he out of his freaking mind? Oh, hell yeah! Let's put aside that he was only 19, not even old enough to drink, for god sakes; let's put aside that he'd only known the girl for 6 months, at most; let's even put aside how annoying the girl was and how I couldn't stand her. Why in the hell would he want to hang himself like that? Had he forgotten that marriage is basically a prison? Had he not paid attention to all the disaster stories I'd told him? Broken marriages from all around the table, starting with our parents and going all the way to our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, to damn near everyone else we knew. It all ended the same: divorce, the blissful release from a life sentence.

"Why, Benny, why?"

"Oh, Bea, don't you even start," he retorted with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I don't want to hear your putdowns on marriage…again. I've heard them over and over and over."

"Well, have you heard that marriages basically suck the big weenie?"

"I believe I did hear that from you, yes."

"Well, then tell me why? Why the fuck would you do something like that!?" Oh, I could feel my poor blood pressure rising. Good grief, the boy was going to give me a heart attack. I tried taking in a few calming breaths, but the whole thing was basically useless. I was in total freak-out mode. "C’mon, Benny, tell me, please, because I'm not understanding here. What, did she pull that voodoo-hoodoo crap on you? Did you crack your head on something? Have you just completely lost your mind? C'mon, you gotta give me something here."

With an easy shrug, he said, "Oh...you know."

"No, I don't know!" Okay...one, two, three...breathe. I shot him a stern glance and asked directly, "Did you knock her up?"

He looked at me accusingly, his dark eyes narrowing. "You would think that, wouldn't you?"

"Well, I don't know what else to think."

Benny shook his head with a petulant eye roll. I know that eye roll. It's the same one he pulls whenever someone tells him to pick up his socks or wash his hands. In a huff, he simply stated, "No. I didn't knock her up."

"Then why?"

"Because she's just..."

"What? Say something."

"You know..." At a loss for words, he paused then added, "she's just so...you know...great."

A literary master at work here. "Great? What's so great about her?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"That's a good answer," I inserted wryly.

"Well, I can't think with all these questions," he snapped.

"I'm sorry, do you need a minute? I mean, I know I'm throwing really hard questions at you. Worse than poking your nose or scratching your balls, evidently."

"Why you gotta be like that, huh?"

"Hey, I'm not the one ruining my life here. I'm not the one going after those little titties."

Pulling his "talk to the hand" gesture, Benny turned to walk away.

"Furthermore," I continued, following on his ass, "she calls you forty times a day, she has you running to her every time she cries at all hours of the night, and she's dragging you to all these girly places you wouldn't be caught dead in, even if you were dead. Plus, she's annoying, she's rude, she's just plain crazy. Face it, she's nothing but a big, bi—"

"Okay, Bea, that's enough!" he yelled, twisting around to face me. For a long time, he stood there staring down at me, his nostrils flaring, his jaw tightening. I could tell he was getting pissed. What guy wouldn't? I was basically pointing out that his girl was wearing his huevos like a necklace.

"Look, bottom line: she treats you like a slave. She will ruin your life. She's gonna suck you dry 'til there's nothing left of the old Benny. Seriously, get out of this thing and go live your own life. C'mon, before it's too late."

He stood there in brooding silence for a moment, his gaze lingering on his sneakers. Then, looking back up at me in resignation, he said, "She really wants this."

"What do you want?"

"I want to make her happy."

"But what's gonna make you happy?"

Biting his lower lip, my brother shifted awkwardly, his head hung low. He had no words.

"Benito!"

"She's already started planning with her mom," he shot out, tearing his eyes from the floor.

"Who cares!? Just don't do it."

"But I already told her I would."

"Oh, god!" My frustration had mounted to unbelievable heights. Oy, there go those chest pains again. The boy was definitely killing me here. But what else could I do? I swear he was as loyal as a dumb dog, and he was bound and determined to live out his days with his tail between his legs. I knew then that he wouldn't back out on her for any reason. Not even if she was kidnapped, I don't think (although that was an idea that crossed my mind.)

I stood quiet for a moment, taking long calming breaths. Then I looked up at him, disappointment drawn on my face, and said, "You're making a big mistake."

That day I told my brother not to expect me at his funeral.

Sandra C. López is one of today's influential Latina authors in Young Adult literature. Her first novel, Esperanza: A Latina Story, was published in March 2008 WHILE she was still in college. Since then she has published several other books, including the Single Chicas series. She was named as one of "2011 Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch" by Latino Stories, and her book, Beyond the Gardens, was a Silver Medal winner of the 2016 Global Ebook Awards in Multicultural Fiction and a finalist in the Int'l Latino Book Awards. Art, literature, and travel are her passions, and she aims to keep doing them as long as she can.


Contact Information
Website: www.sandra-lopez.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sandra-Lopez-173657042664609/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1656820.Sandra_C_Lopez

Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Single-Chicas-Sandra-Lopez-ebook/dp/B01KG85F1Y/#nav-subnav
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/single-chicas-sandra-lopez/1124415443?ean=2940153681405

Promo : Winter Wolf by R J Blain

Winter Wolf by R.J. Blain

Urban Fantasy / Thriller / Supernatural Suspense

Date Published: November 24, 2014

  

The Hunted Wizard

When Nicole dabbled in the occult, she lost it all: Her voice, her family, and her name. Now on the run from the Inquisition, she must prove to herself—and the world—that not all wizards are too dangerous to let live.

The savage murder of a bookstore employee throws Nicole into the middle of Inquisition business, like it or not. Driven by her inability to save the young man’s life, she decides to hunt the killer on her own. Using forbidden magic to investigate the past, she learns that the murderer is in fact a disease that could kill the entire werewolf race.

Forced to choose between saving lives and preserving her own, Nicole embraces the magic that sent her into exile. Without werewolves, the power of the Inquisition would dwindle, and she could live without being hunted.

Nicole’s only hope for success lies in the hands of the werewolves she hates and the Inquisition she fears, but finding someone to trust is only the beginning of her problems. There are those who want to ensure that the werewolves go extinct and that the Inquisition falls.

But, if she fails to find a cure, her family—including her twin sister—will perish…

EXCERPT

Almost everyone in the store had a phone. Dormant devices, from reading lights to mobile chargers, littered the tables. One woman, browsing books nearby, had four battery-powered devices in her purse. One was a phone, and like mine, it hungered. Its need was strong; its battery waned to the point of failure.

If I wanted, I could charge it for her.

No one would notice if I did. Maybe the woman would wonder how her phone hadn’t died before she got home. It only had a few minutes left. It’d take me all of ten seconds to fix it for her. If I did, I wouldn’t be so aware of it. But to do so, I’d have to touch her—or her phone. Some things I could manipulate without having a direct conduit, but cell phone batteries were tricky, greedy things.

I cringed a little, setting the thriller book down. I picked up the next nearest title. I flipped it over, not reading the text on the back. Did I dare? Out of the corner of my eye, I watched the woman browsing through the books. All it would take was a few seconds. I could charge it without her noticing.

That was one thing I was actually good at.

I put the novel I held down and wandered to the same table, careful not to look at her. Book by book, I investigated the titles, circling to where she stood.

“You’re Nicole Thomas, aren’t you? The actress. You’re her.” My quarry appraised me with a pleased expression.

People normally recognized the mainliners, people with beautiful faces and voices to match, people who didn’t avoid crowds.

In short, people other than me.

I met her gaze, abandoning my perusal of novels. “I am,” I replied, wincing a little at the sandpaper-rough quality of my voice. At least I hadn’t been reduced to a whisper—yet. My fatal flaw was my rough, grating voice. Chronic laryngitis did that to a person. It ruined careers, as it had mine, though I hadn’t quite given up on being an actress. I’d already lost the ability to sing.

I wasn’t going to let a stupid disease take everything away from me.

The woman smiled, not seeming to mind talking to someone who sounded more like a zombie than a human. “You’re taller than I expected. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She thrust out her hand.

We shook.

I left her phone alone.

“They keep putting me next to giants,” I quipped. It was true. When I did manage to get on the silver screen, I worked alongside actors easily a foot-and-a-half taller than me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” I matched her smile. She didn’t tell me her name, and I didn’t ask for it.

It took all of my will not to fiddle with her phone. All it would take was a murmured word and a thought, and it’d be done. It would have been easy to charge the battery when our hands had been clasped together, but I hadn’t dared.

If, sometime later, she noticed her phone had magically been charged—literally—she might remember me. She knew my name.

And in true cowardice, I couldn’t bring myself to help her. If she connected the strange behavior of her phone with me, she might tell someone. If she did, I’d be as good as dead—or worse. I had dabbled in the occult, and the occult had dabbled back, and there were those who didn’t like when that happened.

The last thing I needed was them finding me.

About the Author

RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.

When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband. She is currently on a quest for a new warrior fish.

In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.

Favorite Books & Series

In no particular order:

Anne McCaffrey's Pern

Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar & Gryphon Series

Jim Butcher's Codex Alera & The Dresden Files

Brandon Sanderson's Elantris

Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega, Dragon Bones, & The Mercy Thompson series

Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time

Author Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Buy Links

Amazon

iTunes Store

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Author Guest Post/Giveaway : An Incurable Insanity by Simi K Rao

A Little about me.....

Things readers will be surprised to know about me (They surprise me too!)

I didn’t start out to be a writer, though I’ve always loved reading and revered books as if they were manna from heaven. I always wanted to be a physician, walk around in a white coat looking important and helping people, of course! So I ended up becoming one.

Most of those who know me or think they know me can’t believe that I wrote 'An Incurable Insanity'. Perhaps because they usually encounter a somber and solitary person? They are surprised, pleasantly I think after reading what I’ve written. So let me set the record straight---my book is the real me: frank, down to earth and with a quirky sense of humor. Read it and you will agree.

Writing began as a cure for stress and insomnia. Never a big fan of the Idiot Box (pun not intended), or artificial tranquilizers, I resorted to the pen and it proved to be one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Life inspires me, so does music and nature. I get ideas all the time, while driving in my car and even when I’m asleep. Creativity is a constant process.

For me writing is not a career, it is much more. It's an intimate part of my life; deeply personal and emotional. It has become a favorite friend and companion. And so have my readers, I love to connect with them and participating in a dialogue. That is the reason why I began writing in the first place. So I welcome everybody to connect with me here: http://simikrao.wordpress.com/ and you can be assured of a reply. Happy reading!

Simi K. Rao




Book Excerpt

1: Disillusion
Ruhi Sharma was a blushing bride, practically a newlywed, locked up in this glittering cage for almost a month, twenty-nine days to be exact; an object of envy of all her friends and family.
Twenty-nine days ago, she had signed her name beside his on the marriage certificate. She had gone through all the miscellaneous ceremonies associated with the typical grand Indian wedding—the engagement, the Mehendi, the Sangeet, the Haldi, and the grand finale (her father had spared no expense) until finally her betrothed had staked his claim by placing the Sindoor on her forehead and tying the Mangalsutra around her neck, and she had quietly and blissfully followed him around the sacred fire carefully listening to and reciting the Saath Pheras in her mind.
She was the very beautiful and accomplished daughter of Amrit and Devyani Sharma, the apple of their eye, and they had left no stone unturned in raising her the best way they possibly could.
Friends and family were surprised for not only had Ruhi been provided with a very good education, she held an MBA from a leading institution, but her parents had also made sure that she was adept in all other various skills, which a well-bred traditional Indian girl is desired to be proficient in. Therefore, nobody marveled when marriage proposals came pouring in from all directions.
But the Sharmas were choosy; they wanted only the best for their golden child, and they did get it, or so they surmised.
The idea of giving their daughter’s hand in marriage to the well-accomplished son of the most well-known family in Chandigarh was beyond their wildest imagination. It was wilder because they hadn’t gone in search of it, rather it had come and landed on their lap.
Shaan, the youngest and most eligible of the Ahuja clan, was twenty-seven, a fresh aerospace masters grad from a premier engineering institute located in the Los Angeles county of United States, California, who had already bagged a plum job in a leading aeronautics and space exploration company in sunny LA.

“My son makes interplanetary spacecraft. He’s the man of the future” had become the proud and frequent rant of Mr. Shiv Ahuja, who for some odd reason seemed to be trying to paint his son in the most rosy of tones even though he really didn’t need to, for as soon as Ruhi saw her future husband’s likeness, she lost her heart, and there was no question of a retrieval.
---o---
“Chai?”

“Huh? Yes please with just a pinch of sugar. Thanks!” He took the cup from her hands, careful not to touch her fingers.

Ruhi closed her eyes; she could now repeat every movement, every word by rote. He was a creature of habit…and she was bored. What was supposed to be the most exciting time in every young woman’s life had turned out to be the worst…Well, not really. He wasn’t mean, rather he was the perfect gentleman, too perfect!

Oh how she wished he would rather be screaming mean and nasty. At least that would bring some excitement into her not so-happening life! She laughed, pausing as she brushed her long black hair, rather hysterically.

The bombshell had dropped on their wedding night. He had walked into the room late as she sat there, a shy bride in all her wedding finery waiting, nervous yet excited at the same time, to meet the man she had hardly spoken to or looked at. What would he say, talk about, or do?
She had heard a lot of stories about what to expect, some factual and some fabricated (her friends had prepared her well), but she wanted her own to be special, unique, and it was…
Sitting down on the bed in front of her, he had taken her hand in his and said very gently, as if to tone down the trauma, “I bet you are one of the most beautiful brides in the world, but I’m sorry I cannot make love to you. There is someone else.”

Not sure if she’d heard right, Ruhi had watched puzzled as he lay down on the mattress and turned his back to her. Is that it? A plain and blunt dismissal of her dreams, her life? Was that all?

Simi K. Rao

Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several
years. This book is her first foray into writing. The inspiration for the story came
from what she has seen transpire among and within the immigrant community.
Some of the experiences included are her own; some have been garnered from
friends and casual conversations with acquaintances. She also writes poetry, is
an avid photographer, loves to travel, and is a practicing physician. She currently
lives in Denver with her family.

You can connect with the author and read more of her work on her website at
www.simikrao.com



Website: http://simikrao.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simikrao
Twitter: @simikrao
Blog: simikrao.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18187461-an-incurable-insanity

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Promo : Begging For Forgiveness by Astrid Cielo

Begging For Forgiveness - Release Week Blitz

By Astrid Cielo

Erotic Paranormal Romance

Date Published: 9/17/2013



Add to Goodreads

When Aspen Clarke saw Skylar Ashmore for the first time, her cougar screamed that this wolf would be hers.  But Aspen can't trust the mating call because she knows all too well that sometimes fate can get it wrong.  After a steamy night with Skylar, Aspen is broken-hearted to find that her worries are founded when she awakens alone and confused.  So, she runs back to Pinewood Creek and her old pride that’d always made her feel welcome, unlike her own parents.  Little does she know that she carries more with her than emotional baggage.  Now faced with motherhood alone she's decided that she doesn't need a mate.

Skylar just wanted to forget his last assignment, so like he had for the past six months after he was forced to execute yet another shifter he stopped at the little restaurant a town over from his apartment to lose himself in good food.  He never expected to lose himself in a female.  He took the beautiful Aspen to bed the moment he caught her scent, his wolf beside itself wanting to claim its mate.  But after it was over he knows he's made a mistake...because he's already mated.  So, he runs and hopes he can beg his mate for forgiveness.

Xavier had never felt a betrayal as deep as when Skylar slid into bed beside him smelling of a female, not even when his old pack had nearly beat him to death.  But soon that feeling of betrayal faded to confusion, then surprise when he realized that whatever female his mate had taken was also his mate.

Now Skylar and Xavier will hunt for their missing mate.  But little do they know, Skylar's last assignment has a loose end that's just waiting for the right moment to strike--and it's set its sights on Aspen.  

Can Aspen accept the man who left her pregnant and doubting mating all over again?  Can Skylar and Xavier convince her to mate with not one, but both of them?  Will Aspen survive to forgive?

Astrid Cielo

Astrid Cielo is a Mississippi girl who enjoys a variety of things. By night, she is a nurse in her local ER, and by day, she is spilling her imagination out on paper.

Astrid began writing when she was a child her stories featuring a variety of characters (including her imaginary friends). When she was in high school she wrote her first completed story and was published twice in poetry anthologies. Gathering her courage, Astrid self-published her first book, Surrender Serenity, Salin's Salvation, Book 1 and enjoyed every minute of it.

Now she balances her time between being a nurse (which she loves) and writing down the scenes that play out in her mind. She also plays World of Warcraft (which all of her friends think is weird)!

Website | Facebook| Twitter | Blog | Google+ | YouTube | Goodreads

BUY LINKS

Smashwords | Are (All Romance eBooks) | Kobo

This release blitz is brought to you by Reading Addiction Book Tours.

Promo/Guest Post : A Crazy Homecoming by Cate Baylor

My Family Tie to Crazy

I’ve blogged before about how my ongoing quest to document my family history inspired the Crazy, Texas, series. As I pored over old census documents, vital records, and paper clippings, I wanted to know more about my ancestors. Imagining their lives and how they shaped my current-day family traditions led me to Crazy.

One record in particular made that black and white historical view really come to life for me. I knew that one branch of my family all came from the same area of Texas, and that they lived in that area for at least 100 years. What I didn’t realize was how connected their lives were.

In one census, a neighbor boy is listed as a farm laborer in my ancestor’s household of several daughters. In the next census, that neighbor farm laborer is the husband of one of the daughters. At first, it was a surprise. Then I realized that rural life hasn’t changed so much all in the intervening years.

And I’d argue that today’s rural and small-town culture is very much rooted in the lives our ancestors forged in new lands. Then, as now, farming and ranching was a difficult life. The farming communities like my ancestor’s became close-knit out of necessity. A farmer’s success often depended on the help offered by his neighbors and family, and that help was honor-bound to be reciprocated. Whether it was pitching in at harvest time or stepping up to protect a neighbor, those communities were together.

That togetherness is a big part of A Crazy Homecoming and the series I’ve got planned. A big part of what defines my characters is how they’re shaped by the community they’re a part of, and in turn, how they shape that community.

Excerpt

Before Mick could tell him to piss off, Daphne extricated herself from the arms of her eager dance partner, lurched back to the table, and grabbed Raney’s drink.

“Whew! That’s more work than it looks like.” She wiped her forehead and theatrically rested her head on Raney’s shoulder. Mick took one more swig of his beer, set it down forcefully, and pushed himself away from the table. He reached behind Raney and grabbed Daphne’s arm, pulling her toward the dance floor.

Daphne looked up at him in surprise. He circled his arm around her waist and rumbled, “It's my turn now. I'm tired of watching you dance with other men."

She stuttered and resisted. “I don’t know this one.”

He leaned in, so close his lips were almost touching her ear. So close he could smell her shampoo and the scent of her laundry detergent. It only added to the fire burning in the pit of his stomach. "It's not hard, Daphne. I lead. You follow. Your body knows the rest."

He felt her moment of surrender. He pulled her close, held her there for a beat longer than he needed to, then whisked her into the dance.

The intimacy of dancing with her, of staring into her eyes for minutes on end without speaking, was practically heart stopping. The quick beat ended and was replaced by a slow song. She began to step away, but he tightened his grip around her waist and tucked her right hand under his on his chest.

As they started swaying to the crooning love song, she rested her head on his
shoulder and let him lead. With her wrapped in his arms, their bodies moving in tandem, he closed his eyes and rested his cheek on her head. He was lost, pulled into the bubble of their own little world.

As the song ended, they leaned back to look in each other’s eyes. He stroked the back of his fingers down the side of her face and cradled her jaw in his hand. She licked her bottom lip and that was all the invitation he needed. As he leaned in for a kiss, they were interrupted by a shrill, "Well, well, well, bless my soul, if it isn’t my cousin, Daphne!"

If Sissy was a man, he might’ve punched her then and there for her bad timing. Daphne stepped back and turned around. Sissy was dressed to the nines, watching them with one hand on her hip and a haughty smirk on her overly done-up face. "Oh, I'm sorry," she crowed. "Did I interrupt something?"

Mick forced a smile and said, "Of course not. Good to see you, Sissy."

"Uh huh, I bet." she quipped. She sidled closer and in her high heels towered over Daphne. "Daddy told me the big news.”

Daphne asked, “What news?”

“What do you mean, ‘what news?’” Sissy screeched. “I don’t know what Nana was thinking, handing over the ranch to you. To you, instead of her boys who have lived here since they were born. It’s beyond me."

Straightening up to her tallest, Daphne responded tightly, "I'm sure she has her reasons."

Sissy stuck her finger in Daphne’s face. "I don't know what lies or promises you've been feeding her since you got here, missy, but I'm here to tell you that you won't get away with it. That ranch is my family's birthright, not yours. I'm not about to let some crazy old bat hand it off to her city slicker granddaughter." She glanced up at Mick and added, "Much less one who's cavorting with the hired help."

Mick had known Sissy going on twenty years and she hadn’t changed. She’d always been a shrill, calculating, self-centered woman. He’d learned to tolerate her vanity and mischief, even if it did annoy the hell out of him. Sometimes that tolerance was harder to manage than others, but even if they weren’t teens anymore he still wasn’t going to hit a girl. He put his hand at the small of Daphne’s back and tried to steer her toward the doors. He looked around, hoping Raney or Danny was around to intercede.

Daphne sputtered angrily. “Hired help?”

Mick felt her step away from him so he looked back, and damned if she didn’t launch herself at Sissy. She swiped and clawed like a cat. When that didn’t work, she lunged and swung like a boxer. “You conniving bitch!”

Mick quickly grabbed at Daphne, knocking her punch off course so she only dealt a glancing blow to Sissy’s head. That only pissed her off more and she lunged again. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her off.

Danny and Scotty appeared, and Mick heard Danny saying, “Back off, Sissy!” But Sissy scrambled back to Daphne’s side, pointing and waving her hands around, shrieking so fast and slurred Mick couldn’t make out what she was saying.

Raney joined them and he hissed, “Let’s get the hell out of here.” Raney was in front of Daphne pulling her toward the door, and Mick pushed her from behind, trying to keep the women off of each other.

Finally he gave up and hauled Daphne up over his shoulder like a sack of beans. All the way out to the truck, she rapped on his back and shoulders, spewing inventive curses at him. He decided he didn’t mind so much, though, as he steadied her weight with his palm on her fine ass.

About the Author

Cate Baylor has been a technical communicator for over fifteen years. When she's not writing, she suffers from hobby addiction, which includes (but is not limited to!) reading, jewelry making, crochet, knitting, scrapbooking, cross stitching, and home DIY. She lives in Houston with her geeky husband, three neurotic cats, and precocious Yellow Lab named Tex. She comes from a long line of Texan farmers who are likely rolling over in their graves knowing she’d much rather stay blissfully air-conditioned than suffer outside in the Texas heat. She's a die-hard Texans fan but hasn't decided whether she's willing to embrace the Astros as an American League team.

Connect with Cate on her web site or her Facebook page. You’ll also find her author profile on Goodreads and LibraryThing.


BUY LINKS
Buy A Crazy Homecoming: Amazon | Amazon UK | KoboBooks |

Promo : The Order of the Black Swan by Victoria Danann

The Order of the Black Swan

By Victoria Danann

Paranormal Romance / Fantasy

Date to be Published: 2/14/2013

Synopsis:

Synopsis:  Discover a world of adult fantasy where modern day knights of a secret society interact with an alien, a witch, a demon, a psychic, a berserker, a most unusual vampire, werewolves, elves, and fae. Fairytales intersect adventure, romance, and emotion proving that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you're least expecting it, even when you're far, far from home.This is a compilation of the first three installments of the Black Swan serial saga

Victoria Danann

 http://www.VictoriaDanann.com

BUY LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES | SMASHWORDS

Promo : Welcome to Paradise by Rosalind James

Welcome to Paradise

By Rosalind James

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 4/12/13

Synopsis:

By the bestselling author of the Escape to New Zealand series—They’re going to party like it’s 1885.
Mira Walker is hoping that competing on a “living history” reality show will give her what’s missing from her real life. Maybe she’ll get closer to her boyfriend, who hasn’t been all that nice to her lately. Get fired up about her job again. Who knows, she might even win a million dollars.
Gabe Kincaid and his brother Alec are after that million too, though. Mira and Scott are no threat at all, not when everybody involved is going to want to kill Scott after the first day. And there’s no bond stronger than a twin’s. What could possibly go wrong?

EXCERPT

Gabe began to haul out suitcases, then stopped in his tracks.

A couple spaces beyond, a young woman stood next to a glossy black BMW with its door open, her gaze turned up to the eastern skyline. Gabe could see why. The view was tinted with a rose pink that lay softly over the mountains, giving them an almost ethereal glow.

She sensed his presence behind him, turned with a warm smile that was a perfect complement to the light bathing the landscape behind her. “Alpenglow,” she told him happily.

“What?” he asked stupidly.

“That’s what they call that pink thing. Alpenglow. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yeah,” he smiled slowly. “It sure is.”

She nodded, looked back at the mountains with a sigh, leaving Gabe free to take in the view that interested him most. She wasn’t especially slim—in fact, she was downright . . .rounded. Arms, breasts, hips, it was all there, all the good stuff. A nicely defined waist, too, in a slightly crumpled short-sleeved summer dress that flared out at the hem. Long, shiny brown hair caught on the side of her head in a simple braid that reached nearly to her hips, ended in a curly tail. All right, she was attractive. A pretty face, nice hair, a beautiful smile, but she certainly wasn’t gorgeous. So why was he staring at her?

“Cute,” Alec said quietly beside him.

“Yeah.” Gabe gave himself a shake and began to turn away.

“Hey.” The man was striding quickly across the parking lot. Light brown hair, parted neatly. Slim and tall, somewhere between Gabe’s six foot and Alec’s six-two. And, Gabe realized, the same asshole who’d flipped them off earlier, at the light. Frowning, now, as he came to join the woman. “What are you doing? I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Sorry,” she said. “I was just looking at the view.”

“Did you get the car cleaned out?”

“Not yet.”

He sighed impatiently. “I’ve got all our stuff inside already, and unpacked, while you’ve been standing here. Could you get a move on, please? I want to go to dinner.”

“Sorry,” she said again. “It’s just so beautiful.”

The man smiled tightly, still not acknowledging Gabe or Alec, who had come up to stand beside his brother and watch the pair. “All I’m asking for is a bit of focus here, sweetie. Eyes on the prize, remember? Can you do that for me?”

“Of course,” she said. Gabe could see the flush spreading up her cheeks, her embarrassment at the reproof in front of strangers. Not his business, he reminded himself.

None of his business at all.

Author Bio:

Rosalind James is the author of the bestselling “Escape to New Zealand” series.“Welcome to Paradise” is her first book set in the United States. A former marketing executive, Rosalind divides her time between California and New Zealand.

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Promo : Monster Night by P B Azeltine

Monster Night

Young Adult Fantasy

By Pb Azeltine, Me Drewry  

Date Published: November 2012 

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When a drug surfaces in town that turns teens into the mythological creature of the chupacabra, David Copperfield Finkleman is called in to help. Why? Because David possesses a rare gift. He is a true blue, magic out of the fingertips, potions and spells, wizard. Well, that and because his grandfather is the  lead investigator on the case and the drug is circulating in David's own high school. David is thrust into a world of danger and monsters he never knew existed, all the while living his normal daily life. He learns that he will have to save the very bullies who torment him in school and the chemistry teacher who wants nothing more than to flunk him. Adding to his problems, he deals with girl troubles, a boss who doesn't appreciate his sarcasm, and saving an agent's life before it's too late...no pressure!

Excerpt 

I retrieved my wand, held it over the potion and willed my energy into it. The potion began to bubble as if boiling on the stove. It became thick and turned blood red. The contents bubbled and expanded, spilling out from the bowl and on to the table. Then suddenly the bloody goo began to form into a shape, sprouting legs, and then swirling around and making a body, and lastly a head. I pulled back my energy, but it was too late. A Mastiff-sized chupacabra stood on the table, snarling, snapping, and baring its teeth at me.

I jumped back and cried out at the same time. The creature lunged at me. I dove under the table, feeling the breeze from its body brush my face. The animal thumped to the ground and scrambled, its paws slipping and scratching on the linoleum floor. I clambered to my feet, just in time to throw a wall of energy out, three inches thick and a large doggie-door size wide and high.

The chupacabra hit the wall, bounced back, and came at me, frothing and scrabbling at the energy again and again until he broke through and pounced on me, sending me hurtling backwards. My back, butt, and head smacked the linoleum at the same time, followed by my feet, the chupacabra’s teeth sinking into my coat. Its head thrashed from side to side. The material resisted at first, and then a loud ripping echoed in my ears. The animal won the battle with a mouthful of my stuffing and cotton-polyester blend material. Using my hands and feet and all my strength, I shoved the creature off of me, scrambled to my feet, and sent another stream of magic at it. This time I was able to throw it into the back door. Stunned for a few seconds, it slowly stood, shook its head and body, and showed me his fangs, the whites of them flashing in the bright light of the room.

Was something or someone controlling this creature? Its glazed eyes indicated that the lights might be on in its head, but no one was home, or at least in that house. But who or what was controlling it? And maybe even why?

The creature gathered itself for round two. It rose on its two back legs to full height. Long claws jetted out from its pads ready to slice me in two. Its gray body had a green hint to it with black spots. Black spikes stuck out along the spine and looked as sharp as its claws. Drool dripped from its long tongue and sides of its mouth. It growled, a low menacing hum that rose louder into a snarl.

For a moment, I was fascinated by its ability to balance as a human. Red eyes glowed and I kept from looking at them for fear of not knowing if it could hypnotize or freeze me.

P.B. Azeltine

P.B. Azeltine has been writing for many years. She is a Land SurveyorInstrument woman by day and a writer at lunch time, traveling in the car time, any spare moment time, days off time, and evenings. She loves writing young adult, middle-grade, historical romance, and contemporary romance. She tries to put humor in all her writing. She has learned that as she goes through life, humor can make it much easier to get through. She lives in Olympia, Washington (U.S.A.) with her husband, two daughters, son in-law, future son in-law, two dogs, one cat, and one lovebird.

www.pbazeltine.com

M.E. Drewry

M.E. Drewry is a teacher and writer. An avid fan and reader of fantasy, she decided to co-write her own fantasy story for young adult. She lives in Rochester, Washington (U.S.A.) with her husband, Jacob and her overly pampered black lab Shadow.

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Promo: Crazy Dumplings by Amanda Roberts

Crazy Dumplings Cook Book

By Amanda Roberts

Hi! My name is Amanda and I am an American who has been living, writing, and cooking in China for nearly three years. China’s favored dish, the dumpling (or jiaozi in Chinese), can be found on every street corner, in every restaurant, and in every kitchen in China, but they are all pretty much prepared the same way: a bit of meat, some garlic and ginger, and a bit of vegetables if you’re lucky. Even a visit to the freezer section at any grocery store displays hundreds of packages of dumplings that all look and taste the same.  

But the dumpling is so versatile! Have you ever tried stuffing a dumpling with chicken? Refried beans? Cheesecake filling? No? Hardly anyone has! My cookbook, Crazy Dumplings, takes this simple staple food and prepares it in ways you never thought possible! From buffalo chicken dumplings to pizza dumplings to apple pie dumplings, a world of foods is available to you in an easy dumpling wrapper with Crazy Dumplings.

EXCERPT/SAMPLE

Basic Dumpling Wrapper

3/4 cups flour

1/3 cup boiling water

Dash of salt

Flour for dusting

1) Mix flour and salt together in a mixing bowl.

2) Drizzle in water, mixing with a chopstick or fork.

3) Leave in bowl, covered with plastic wrap for 15 minutes.

4) Gather dough up into a ball and kneed on counter for a minute or two (until the dough is smooth)

5) Pinch off small portion of dough and roll into a ball (about 1 inch in diameter). Roll out into a flat circle on the counter, dusting with flour to keep dough from sticking.

6) Put small amount of preferred dumpling stuffing mixture into the middle of the flat dumpling wrapper. Pinch the dumpling closed.

7) Cook dumplings.

a. To fry dumpling, preheat oil for 30 second then lower heat. Cook dumpling on each side for only about one minute or until golden brown.

b. To steam dumplings, place in a steamer or on an elevated plate in a wok over water for about 10 minutes.

c. To boil dumplings, place in boiling water for about 5 minutes.

8) Always cut a dumpling open to make sure it cooked through.

9)Serve!

Taco Dumplings

½ lb ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey)

½ cup shredded cheese

1 tablespoon chili seasoning

1 tablespoon ground cumin

½ tablespoon garlic powder

¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

12 dumpling wrappers

Salsa, guacamole, cheese sauce, sour cream (as optional dip options)

1. Mix ground meat, shredded cheese, spices, and cilantro together in mixing bowl.

2. Spoon mixture into dumpling wrappers.

3. Fry dumplings for about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown (be sure to open one to make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked).

4. Serve hot with sauces for dipping.

Guacamole

2 avocados

1 small tomato, finely chopped

¼ of an onion, finely chopped

1 clove of garlic, pressed

a few sprigs of cilantro, finely chopped

1 lime or lemon, halved

Dash of salt

1) With a spoon remove the avocado meat from the rind and remove the seeds. Mash the avocado meat with a spoon and fork.

2) Mix in tomato, onion, garlic, and cilantro

3) Squeeze in lemon juice (watch out for seeds!)

4) Add salt to taste

5) Enjoy!

About the Author

Amanda Roberts received her master’s degree in English from the University of Central Missouri in 2009. In 2010, she and her husband moved to rural Hunan, China to teach English. Amanda has been

chronicling their adventures on her blog Two Americans in China for nearly 3 years.

One of her biggest obstacles to overcome was learning how to cook all over again. She discovered that this is a major frustration for most expats living abroad. Crazy Dumplings is her first book in what will hopefully become a full line of cookbooks for expats and people living at home who want to learn fun and more natural ways of cooking.

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Promo : Alejandro by K. Victoria Chase

Alejandro

K. Victoria Chase - Alejandro

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: March 2013

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Blurb:

Audrey Hughes hasn't heard from her sister Penny in years.  When she receives a letter from her former drug-addicted sister that someone is going to kill her, Audrey believes her sister is being dramatic--until she discovers Penny is dead, and she's left behind a son Audrey never knew existed.It's his fault she's dead. Lana was his source, his responsibility. US Marshal Alejandro Santiago vows to avenge her killer, a drug trafficker who is the key to finding a dangerous fugitive. One problem: Lana's beautiful sister Audrey and her nephew have just become targets. Can he protect them both without his emotions compromising the mission? What will happen when Audrey learns the truth of his involvement in her sister's death?An interracial romantic suspense with a bit of faith weaved in.

EXCERPT

She backed herself into a corner, keeping her eyes straight ahead, and her chin high. Ale leaned against the opposite wall and hooked his thumbs on his belt loops. The longer he stared at her side profile, the more she fidgeted — checking her watch, gripping her bag, glancing up at the ceiling. If she were going to give him a hard time, he’d at least have a little fun. 

“How do you plan to leave? If I recall, we drove here in my car. Yours is back at your sister’s.” He smiled triumphantly.

She favored him with half a glance before setting her gaze on the control panel. “I’ll call a cab.”

“No one is going to give you the number to a cabbie, on my orders.” She gave him a chagrined smile. “There’s an app for that on my iPhone.”

His eyes fell to her bag and he lifted his brows. “I’ll wrestle it away from you.”

“Ha! After our last fight? You wouldn't dare.”

“ Wouldn't I?” 

Being reminded of his literally crushing defeat at the hands of a woman would've normally irked him, but he remained unbothered. In fact, the thought of another round with the pretty spitfire intrigued him. She gave him a slitted stare, and he responded with a wide grin.

“You have some nerve.”

“Actually, you don’t know the half of it.” 

The memory of their kiss exploded in his brain, his blood pounding in his ears and racing throughout his body, warming muscles stiff after a long day’s work. Her eyes widened a bit, and he wondered whether her thoughts mirrored his own. Maybe they do…

K. Victoria Chase

From childhood, K. Victoria Chase enjoyed writing stories and plays and reading Christian romance. She received degrees in Criminal Justice and Diplomacy and worked as a federal law enforcement officer for several years before deciding to try her hand at writing a complete novel. Today, K. Victoria Chase is an Amazon bestselling author both in the US and the UK. She writes both clean and Christian interracial romance.

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